Just came back from a day at Knott's. I liked it! It's been at least 20 years since I went last and that was for Knott's Scary Farm. So, 25 years since I went for Berry Farm.
What we did (two of us): We got up early and went to eat breakfast at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant ($31). Parking in the marketplace is free for 3 hours with validation of $18. Then I traded in my voucher for two tickets (these are comp tickets, obtained last month for servicing the car at the dealer [Toyota is a sponsor of Knott's]) before heading back to the car to drop off the leftover breakfast and re-park into the all-day parking lot ($18).
Walked back, stopped shortly before security for the Star Spangled Banner. Got into the park at 9:30 a.m. (they open at 10 a.m.) and headed to Ghost Rider (the wooden roller coaster). It was maybe a 10 minute wait. I do agree that they don't load you into the cars or direct you where to go, but it was pretty easy.
Then staff stopped everyone from proceeding past the town square/circle into other lands (so basically only Ghost Rider could be ridden at that time) until 10 a.m. when the park officially opened. Walked over to ride Pony Express because Big River Rapids was closed (water was drained so I think it's closed for the season). Same thing happened at the log ride
After Pony Express, went to ride the bumper cars and Coast Rider (very similar ride to Goofy's Sky School at DCA). It was 11 a.m. by then, I think, so went to Coaster's QS restaurant to get the souvenir drink bottle for $15. It's good all day and refills are free for same day of purchase (sodas are $3-4 there) Afterwards, went to ride Voyage of the Iron Reef (3D ride, you shoot sea creatures, so similar to Buzz Lightyear or Toy Story MIdway Mania [p.s. you really don't need to wear your 3D glasses for it]). Then, we walked by the funnel cake shop, but it wasn't open so off to Calico Mine Ride we went. Afterwards, we went to watch a show at the Calico Saloon. Very cute. Then we went to get a funnel cake ($12 for the funnel cake, topping, and soft serve ice cream) - it's pretty large so the two of us could only eat half! We walked through Camp Snoopy - such long lines for the kids except for taking pictures with the peanuts characters (saw Snoopy, Linus & Sally) - didn't stop for pictures this time, but may when we go back again in February. Watched the Wild West Show at 2 p.m. too. Refilled the souvenir bottle at least 8 times, LOL. But 4 of those times was for the boysenberry punch that we were going to bring home for a friend (we thought ahead and brought empty bottles). Oh, and I had a nice chocolate covered strawberry for $3 too.
Tips: none of the restaurants/quick service restaurants were open at that time, it looked like they open at 11 a.m.).
We wanted to ride the Stagecoach ride, but decided against it. The railroad was down too
I think the only other ride we might want to ride is Jaguar. The others are too yucky for me (don't like going upside down, having my legs swinging, or being shot up fast in the air to drop). There are some cute carnival and arcade games too.
There were a few other shows to watch, but by then, we were tired and headed home. But first, we picked up dinner at the Chicken to Go outside the park and drove home. It was pretty relaxing, I think you would enjoy it.
Just make sure to get your tickets online because they are 1/2 price if you get them online ($39-43, instead of $79 at the gate). The souvenir bottle wasn't available online yet (they usually are) so we paid $15 for the bottle ($13.99 + tax) instead of $10.99 + tax that they usually sell for online.
BTW, there is pin trading at Knott's too! I couldn't find pins that they had to sell (to trade for pins on the cast members' lanyards) but it looked interesting.
Also, Knott's has good tribute days too. See:
https://www.knotts.com/tickets-passes/promotions